FHP to target aggressive drivers

Thursday

Nov 15, 2012 at 12:01 AMNov 15, 2012 at 3:45 PM

Special to the Times

Cutting off a big truck could cost you a fine, if you survive. In fatal crashes involving cars and commercial trucks, driver error is the cause of 88 percent of the crashes. The Florida Highway Patrol has launched Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks to reduce commercial motor vehicle-related crashes, injuries and fatalities by combining outreach and education with targeted enforcement activities to raise awareness among car and truck drivers about safe driving behaviors.

“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to reducing the number of commercial vehicle related crashes,” said Col. David Brierton, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Crash reduction can be achieved if we all share the highway with each other and avoid aggressive driving behaviors.”

Troopers will be on the lookout for violations attributed to aggressive driving such as: following too closely, unsafe lane change and speeding. The campaign will consist of four enforcement and education phases, the first of which will be in north Florida between Pensacola and Ocala through Friday, Nov. 16. Three additional phases will take place in other areas of the state through July 2013.

“Safety on Florida‘s roadways is a cooperative effort by cars and trucks alike. As an industry, safety is at the top of our minds, it matters above all else,” said Florida Trucking Association President and CEO, Mary Lou Rajchel. “We are pleased with the opportunity to take our No Zone message about safe driving behaviors around big rigs on the road with the Florida Highway Patrol. Pairing the big trucks equal big blind spots message with the opportunity to ‘see what our drivers see‘ through community education is a unique approach that we believe will promote responsible driving for everyone.”

In addition to targeted enforcement, the campaign will use billboard messaging to increase awareness among car and truck drivers of safe driving behaviors around one another and of the heightened risk of receiving a ticket for a violation. FHP also will collaborate with the Florida Trucking Association to conduct activities at schools and community centers around the state to educate drivers on how to share the road safely with trucks.

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